Humility is the key

Published 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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Carole Bell

Carole Bell

Humility is the key

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What do you think of when you hear the word “humility?”

Is it someone who makes negative remarks about himself or herself? Is it someone who begrudgingly serves others? Is it a person who is already in a position of servitude and acts according to that position by necessity?

None of those definitions fit the Scriptural picture of humility: “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:5.

Peter protested, but agreed after Jesus told him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8b.

Later, Jesus explained “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15.

Jesus was not belittling himself when he humbly washed his disciples’ feet. Nor did he do it because he was obligated to serve them in that way. He certainly was not already in a position of servitude before his disciples; He is the Lord of all creation. He washed their feet to teach them about love.

The kind of humility that Jesus teaches is grounded in knowing whose we are. We are the children of God — sons and daughters of the King. It is from that position that we are able to bend down to serve others. Because of our security in the kingdom, we are comfortable making ourselves small before others.

What does this have to do with becoming a good employee — the topic I promised to write about this week?

I can think of no skill or personality trait that is more important to being employable than humility.

When my daughter was in college, a professor told her class that the key to success in any field was not just knowledge, but the ability to get along with bosses, coworkers and clients. Scriptural humility is the secret ingredient in good interpersonal relationships.

Next week I will write about teaching your child humility.

Carole A. Bell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a retired public school educator and counselor. Read more at her parenting blog: www.ParentingfromtheSource.com